Remembering heroes of Mametz Wood
IN World War I, more than eight million men were killed and a further 37 million wounded, and nowhere was the slaughter greater than on the Somme battlefield, in a battle which began on July 1, 1916, and went on to last for several months.
Over the past week, I have been privileged to attend a number of ceremonies and events to remember our courageous heroes who served our country, defended our freedoms and kept us safe. We remembered all those who have fallen and those who risked their lives to protect us.
100 years ago, the Battle of Mametz Wood in France began, a battle which involved the Welsh Division and what generals hoped would only last a few hours. Instead, the battle lasted for five days and on the first day alone more than 400 casualties were sustained. Not a single tree was left untouched.
I will be attending a service in Mametz on July 7 to remember our Welsh heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice as Wales Remembers the Centenary of the Battle of the Somme.
Casualty figures for the Welsh Division amounted to nearly 4,000 when the wounded and those listed as “missing” were counted. And that does not include the numbers of German dead which would have been a similar figure.
At 8pm on July 11, the Germans issued orders for their withdrawal and the fighting for Mametz Wood was over.
Sadly, for many years the Welsh Division did not receive the credit it deserved for the sacrifices they made during that period.
Today, we stand together to remember the ultimate sacrifice they made.